Kaudulla National Park

 Kaudulla National Park

The Polonnaruwa district of Sri Lanka's north central province is home to Kaudulla National Park, which is situated 190 kilometers from Colombo.

How to get to Kaudulla National Park

The main Colombo-Trincomalee road connects to Kaudulla. The settlement of Habarana is 22 kilometers from Kaudulla's entrance. Minneriya has the closest railroad station.

When to visit Kaudulla National Park at its best

The finest months to visit Kaudulla National Park are August through December, when the number of elephants reaches a high of over 200, just after the time when the famed elephant gathering at Minneriya National Park takes place. The elephants, however, might be spotted in either of these parks at any time of the year.

Hurulu Eco-Park (open daily from 2 to 6.30 pm), located on the edge of the enormous Hurulu Biosphere Reserve that stretches west of the Habarana-Trincomlee road, also offers the chance to see herds of elephants outside of the main wildlife viewing season at Kaudulla and the nearby Minneriya National Park.

Even though the tiny reservoir at Hurlu Eco Park is dwarfed by the enormous Minneriya and Kaudulla reservoirs, at least 30 elephants may be spotted there from January to March.

Kaudulla National Park's terrain and size

The corridor connecting Kaudulla National Park to the adjoining Minneriya Wildlife Park spans an area of 6656 hectares and is home to a dry evergreen forest.

The park's focal point, the 6675 hectare Kaudulla Reservoir, is flanked by grasslands and scrubby forest. Several months out of the year, the park's upper two thirds are submerged in water. Relapanawa reservoir, Olumadu Wewa reservoir, Puliyan Kalla wewa reservoir, Minneriya-Kanthale Yoda Ela canal, Aluth Oya stream, and Hatharas Kotuwa Oya are all included in Kaudulla National Park. Due to the numerous huge bodies of water nearby, two thirds of the park are buried in water for several months every year. Due to the numerous huge bodies of water nearby, two thirds of the park are buried in water for several months every year.

The Kaudulla National Park's climate

The yearly rainfall ranges from 1500 to 2000 millimeters. The north-eastern monsoon is the main source of the rain. The months of April through October are characterized by dry weather. The annual average temperature ranges from 20.6 C to 34.5 C.

Animals with reptiles at Kaudulla National Park

Numerous reptiles, including freshwater turtles, Indian black turtles, and Indian flap-shelled turtles, are protected at Kaudulla National Park.

At the Kaudulla National Park, elephants

When Kaudulla National Park first established in 2002, it gave elephants access to larger wilderness areas and connected the southern elephant corridor between Minneriya and Wasgomuwa National Parks. Additionally, Kaudulla links the east with Somawathiya National Park. Elephant herds congregate in the park's focal point, Kaudulla Reservoir, during the dry season. The best months to travel to Kaudulla to see the vast herd of elephants are September and October. In Kaudulla, 211 animals were counted in 2008. The elephant territories include Habarana Road as well. These animals, which are accustomed to human involvement by this point, are frequently encountered by vehicles traveling in the nighttime to and from Kaudulla National Park.

Kaudulla National Park's wildlife

In addition to elephants, the Kaudulla National Park is home to 23 different species of mammals, including sloth bears, leopards, sambar deer, and Sri Lankan axis deer. Leopard and sloth bear sightings are quite uncommon. The months of June through September are the ideal times to visit this park. Paddle boat rides on the lake are a popular way for visitors to enjoy bird watching.

Kaudulla National Park has a variety of birds.

The Kaudulla tank is frequented by 160 different bird species, including large water birds like the Spot-billed Pelican and Lesser Adjutant. In the park, it's not unusual to see Asian Spoonbills, Grey-headed Fish Eagles, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Storks, and Openbill Storks. Peacocks, eagles, and giant eagles, which are endemic to Sri Lanka, constantly soar above the park. Hundreds of pelicans gathered around the tank as the sun was setting is one of the park's most breathtaking sights.

Vital Information

Between Minneriya, Kaudulla, and Hurulu Eco Park, there is an elephant migration

Within the area, there are three national parks that are close by. They are the Hurulu Eco Park, the Minneriya National Park, and the Kaudulla National Park. Due to the vast herds of elephants present in each of the three parks, both locals and visitors from around the world adore them. Typically, big herds of elephants can be observed in Minneriya National Park from July to September. From October to November, however, they move to Kaudulla National Park due to heavy rains that fill the lakes. After that, throughout the months of December and January, the elephants go on to Hurulu Eco Park for the last stage of their migration.